Crank-and-yoke connection.



No. 734,595. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903. F. G. OLIN. CRANK AND YOKE CONNECTION.

APPLIOATIOR FILED DEC. 1, 1902.

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1 77-Ecg5ses w OZMLUJANEWLM No. 734,595. PATENTED JULY 28, 1903;

P. c. OLIN'. V ORAN-K AND YOKE CONNECTION. APPLICATION FILED DEO.1, 1902.-

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UNITED STATES iatented Jul es, 1905.

I PATENT OFFICE.

FREE 0. OLIN, OF BUFFALO, NEVVYORK.

CRANK-AND- YOKE CONNECTION.

bI-ECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 734,595, dated July 28, 1903.

Application filed December 1, 1902 Serial No. 133,468. (No model- T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED O. OLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and usefullmprovements in Grank-and-Yoke Connections, of which the following is a specification.

It is well known that a crank-and-yoke connection between a reciprocating member and a rotating member permits of a more compact construction than a crank-and-link connection between the same. The crank-and-yoke connection as heretofore constructed is, however, objectionable on account of the frictio and rapid wear of the parts. I

The object of this invention is to produce a crank-and-yoke connection in which the friction and Wear of the parts are reduced to a minimum and the wear on the parts is taken up automatically, thereby rendering the same as durable and serviceable as a crank-andlink connection without the disadvantage of occupying as much space as the latter, construction.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation showing my improved connection employed for reciprocating the plungers of two pumps from a rotary shaft. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section'of the same in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detached vertical section in line 3 3, Fig. 1,,showing the rollers and holder of the antifriction-bearing between the crank of the shaft and the yoke of the plungers. Fig. 4 is a detached inside view of one of the roller-retaining bars. 5 and 6 are fragmentary .end views showing the means for taking 'up the wear on the crankand-yoke connection by band. Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the restoring-spring and its support. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 8 8, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 isa vertical sectional elevation showing myimprovements applied to a singleacting upright steam-engine. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the balls and holder of the rolling bearing shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a vertical section in line 11 11, Fig.9.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, A A represent the cylinders of two pumps, which are arranged Figs.

adjacent plunger-rod, while its inner side is provided with a vertical guide-face d.

F represents a rotary shaft journaledat right angles to the cylinders in a bearingf, which is arranged centrally on the base. shaft is provided with a crank G, having a wrist or pin g at its outer end. This wrist projects into the yoke, and a sliding connection is formed between the same and the yoke, which is constructed as follows:v H represents a slide which moves vertically in the yoke and is provided centrally with a journal or I bearing h, which receives the wrist of the crank-shaft. Between each outer side of the slide and the inner face of the opposing guidebar an anti'friction-bearing or rolling guide is arranged, whereby the friction-between the slide and yoke is reduced. Each of these bearings preferably consists of a set or plurality of hollow cylindrical rollers 11, arranged transversely in a vertical row between one of the guide-bars and the slide and held in place by a holding-frame or retaining device of any suitable construction. The preferred form of retaining device for this purpose is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and consists of two vertical sidebars I and one or more cross-bars or transverse tie-rods t", connecting the side bars. The latter are arranged lengthwise at opposite ends of the rollers, and each is provided on its inner side with a row of journal-lugs j, which are of less width than the diameter of the rollers. Each of the lugs except those at the end of the bar is provided on opposite sides with concave seatsjfi, and the opposing This 7 seats of two adjacent, lugsform a socket in which the end of a roller is journaled. Each of the cross-pins preferably extends through one ot'the rollers, and its ends are riveted to the side bars, as shown.

I do

In orderto prevent the rollers and their retainers from being displaced laterally, the

6 mil side bars thereof are wider than the diameter of the rollers, forming shoulders which overlap the outer side of the guide-bars and the slide, as shown in Fig. 2. This construction of roller-retainer is very simple and compact and holds the rollers reliably in place, while permitting the same to turn freely.

If one or more of the rollers should be slightly larger in diameter than, the rest, the same will be compressed between the slide and yoke sufficiently to produce a uniform bearing between these parts, thereby compensating for slight variations which may exist in the diameter of the rollers.

For reducing the wear the slide bears against the rollers by means of separate faceplates K, of hardened steel, which are detachably secured to the sides of the slide by screws 713. Between each of these face-plates and the body of the slide is clamped a cushion 7t' consisting of a strip or sheet of fiber, paper, or similar material capable of yielding slightly under pressure, thereby compensating for any unevenness which may exist in the face-plate K.

In order to automatically take up any wear on the slide, yoke, and rollers, the slide is divided and its parts are constantly pressed outwardly by an elastic pressing device of any suitable construction. As shown in Fig. 1, the slide is divided vertically through its journal into two like sections 72. 72 which are pressed outwardly by two springs L L, bearing at their opposite ends against the bottom of recesses or seatsl Z, formed in the inner opposing sides of the sections.

As the shaft rotates the pump-plungers are reciprocated through the medium of the crankand-yoke connection, and during this movement the slide reciprocates vertically in the yoke and presses alternately against the upright guide-bars of the yoke. The pressure which is exerted bythe slide against theguidebars is prevented from producing any perceptible friction owing to the rolling bearings interposed between these parts, thereby relieving the same from undue wear and permitting the same to work comparatively easy. Inasmuch as the two rolling bearings are constantly pressed against the guide-bars of the yoke by the expansible slide-sections the rollers of both bearings always provide a rolling support for the slide on the guidebars, thereby preventing the slide from slipping on the rollers and wearing the same flat in places, which otherwise would be liable to occur and interfere with the proper working of the parts.

As the rollers engage on one side with the slide, which is free to move vertically, and on the other side with guide-bars of the yoke, which are incapable of vertical movement, the extent of the bodily vertical movement of the rollers is equal to one-half of the movement of the slide. The length of the rollerbearings is such that they will fully and reliably support the slide in all positions of the latter.

When the crank-and-yoke connection is employed in an organization in which the slide moves vertically in a yoke, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the weight of the roller-bearings is liable to cause them to creep downwardly a minute extent on the slide and guide-bars as the pressure of the latter is removed alternately from opposite sides of the same. In order to restore the roller-bearings to their normal position immediately after creeping downwardly into an abnormal position, a restoring device is provided, consisting, preferably, of a flat spring M. The latter is arranged lengthwise on top of the lower crossbar E of the yoke and secured centrally thereto by a rivet m, while its opposite ends engage underneath the lower ends of the yoke guide-bars, as shown in Fig. 1. During the normal vertical movement of the slide and rollerbearings the latter upon reaching the end of their downward movement do not engage the ends of the restoring-spring. If, however, either of the roller-bearings has crept downwardly out of its normal position and the same is moved under pressure by the slide into its lowermost position, then the lower end of the displaced roller-bearin g will engage and deflect the corresponding end of the restoring-spring. After the working pressure of the slide is removed from the displaced roller-bearing the resilience of the doflected spring M causes this roller-bearing to be elevated into its normal position. For enabling the spring M to perform this function more efficiently the same is preferably placed in the yoke under tension, so that the same can exert sufficient power to overcome the clamping efiect of the springs L L and force the roller-bearings back into place. During the restoring movement the rollers slide on the guide-bars of the yoke and the face-plates of the slide; but the extent of this movement is so small and is effected while the rollers are relieved from working pressure that no appreciable wear on the parts results therefrom. i

As the wear on the yoke, roller-bearings, and slide is taken up automatically by the spreading of the slide-sections, the fit between the slide and the crank-pin or wrist becomes correspondingly loose. This looseness, as well as that on the wrist or pin in its journal, is taken up when necessary by adjustably connecting the cross-bars E E of the yoke with the guide-bars D D thereof. As shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8, each yoke cross-bar is provided at opposite ends with laterallyprojecting lugs N N, which are arranged on the outer sides of the corresponding ends of the yoke guide-bars. The lug N is rigidly secured to its yoke guide-bar by a screw '21. The other lug N is adjustably connected with its yoke guide-bar by an adjusting screwsleeve 0 and a clamping-screw 0. The adjusting-sleeve bears at its inner end against the outer side of the adjacent yoke guide-bar, and its externally-threaded outer end engages gether with the companion roller-bearing,

and slide-section are moved inwardly until the two slide-sectionsare drawn sufficiently close against opposite sides of the crank-pin. After the slack in the parts has thus been taken up the clamping-screws 0 are again tightened for holding the yoke-bar D firmly against the adjusting-sleeves. 'The inner ends of the latter are preferably pro vided with a peripheral flange 0 for increasing its bearing-surface. For enabling the yoke guide-bar D to be adjusted uniformly and cause the same to bear evenly throughout its length each of the adjusting-sleeves is provided on its flange with a scale or graduations 0 which traverse a pointer or indicator 0 mounted on the adjacent yoke-bar D, as shown in Fig. 8. The screws n and 0 may be held against turning by any suitable looking device, the means for this purpose shown in the drawings consisting of set-screws p, arranged in the ends of the cross-bars E E and engaging with the side of the heads on the screws n 0.

In the application of my improved crankand-yoke connection shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it is necessary to employ roller-bearings between both sides of the slide and the yoke because the pressure of the crank is exerted alternately against opposite sides of the yoke for operating both plungers.

-In the application of my improved crankand-yoke connection to a single-acting upright steam-engine constructed to produce a working downward stroke, as shown in Fig. 9, the principal wear is produced on'the top of the slide and the yoke, and a rolling bearing is therefore provided only between these parts on this side, while the opposite or bottom side of these parts is unprovided with a rolling bearing.

If desired, balls may be employed as the antifriction-bearing between the slide and yoke instead of rollers, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. In this construction one or more rows of balls Q are arranged in opposing longitudinal grooves q q, formed, respectively, in the face of the upper yoke guide-bar D and the upper face-plate h of the slide H. These rollers are held in place by a retaining device consisting of two plates R R, between which the balls are confined and which have openings 1" of smaller diameter than the balls through which the latter project into the guide-grooves. The ends of the retainingplates are secured to opposite sides of spaceblocks '1". V

Instead of placing springs between the two sections of the slide for taking up wear be-.'

tween the yoke, slide, and rolling bearings a take-up device for this purpose may be interposed between the slide-sections and their face-plates, as shown in Fig. 9. In this construction the face-plates, are provided with guide-stems S on their inner sides, which project into sockets s on the outer sides of the slide-sections, and springs T are arranged between the bottom of said sockets and the stems for exerting an outward pressure against the face-plates. In this construction the springs-T hold the slide-sections con.-

stantly against the crank-pin and take up wear between these parts.

When the yoke is arranged horizontally, restoring devices may be employed for returning the roller-bearing when displaced into its normal position at either end of its movement. A restoring device suitable for this purpose may consist of two coil-springs U, mounted on opposite ends of the rolling-bearing frame, as shown in Fig. 9, and adapted to engage with the cross-bars E E if the rolling bearing moves an abnormal distance at either end of its travel.

In the construction shown in Fig. 9 the yoke is steadied by means of ways 1; 'v on the main frame of the engine, between which the heretofore been urged against a yoke-andcrank connectipn and rendering the same as serviceable as'a crank-and-link connection, while at the same time efiecting an economy in space as compared with the latter construction, V I

I claim as my invention 1. Inacrank-and-yoke connection,the combination of two opposing guides, a slide movable, between the guides, a plurality of rollers arranged transversely between each guide and the adjacent side of the slide, and a retaining device for said rollers provided with shoulders arranged to engage the outer side of the guides and slide for preventing lateral displacement of the rollers, substantially as set forth. 7 Y j 2. In a crank-and-yoke connection,the combination of two opposing guides, a slide movable between the guides, a plurality of roll- .ers arranged transversely between each guide and the adjacent side of the slide, and aretaining device for said rollers provided with W two side bars in which the rollers are journaled at their ends and each of which overlaps the outer side of the guides and slide forming shoulders which prevent lateral displacement of the rollers and retaining device, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with the crank and moving in the yoke, rollers arranged between the yoke and slide, retaining-bars arranged at opposite ends of the rollers, and lugs arranged on the inner side of the bars, each of said lugs provided on opposite sides with concave seats and each of said rollers being journaled at its ends in the opposing seats of two of said lugs, substantially as set forth.

4.. In a crank-and-yoke connection,the combination of two opposing guides, a slide movable between the guides, hollow rollers arranged between the guides and slide, retaining-bars provided with hearings in which the ends of the rollers are journaled, and transverse tie-rods extending through the hollow rollers and connecting the bars at opposite ends thereof, substantially as set forth.

5. In a crank-and yoke connection,the combination of two opposing guides, a sectional slide movable between said guides, and a sheet of fibrous material clamped between the sections of said slide, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with said crank and moving in said yoke, and a pressing device whereby the slide and yoke are pressed together, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a sectional slide connected with the crank and moving in the yoke, and springs for pressing the sections of the slide against opposite sides of the yoke, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a yoke, a crank provided with a wrist, a slide journaled on said wrist and having movable sections on opposite sides of the wrist, and springs for pressing said sections against opposite sides of the yoke, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a yoke, a crank provided with a wrist, a slide which is provided with a journal whereby the same is pivoted on said wrist and which is divided into sections through said journal, and springs interposed between said sections and adapted to press the same against opposite sides of the yoke, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a yoke provided with opposing guides, a crank provided with a wrist movably arranged between said guides, a sectional slide having a section arranged between each side of said wrist and the opposing guide and constructed to form practically a rigid pressure transmitting medium between the crank-wrist and the yoke-guides, and means for pressing together each guide and its cooperating slide-section, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a sectional slide connected with the crank and moving in said yoke, rollers interposed between said sections and the yoke, and springs for pressing said sections against said rollers, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a yoke, a crank provided with a wrist, a slide which is provided with a journal whereby the same is pivoted on said wrist and which is divided into sections through said journal, rollers interposed between said sections and opposite sides of the yoke, and springs which are arranged between said sections and whereby the latter are moved away from opposite sides of the wrist and against the rollers on opposite sides of the yoke, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with the crank and moving in the yoke, rolling members interposed between said slide and yoke, and restoring means for returning the rolling members to their normal position when displaced, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with the crank and moving in the yoke, rolling members interposed between said slide and yoke, a holder for said rolling members, and a spring arranged to be engaged by said holder when the rolling members are displaced and adapted to return the same into their normal position, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with the crank and moving in the yoke, rollers interposed between said slide and yoke, a holding-frame carrying said rollers, and a flat spring secured to said yoke and arranged to be engaged by said frame when moved into an abnormal position for returning the same to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination of a yoke, a crank provided with a wrist, a slide journaled on said wrist and moving in said yoke, two sets of rollers interposed between opposite sides of the slide and yoke, holding-frames carrying said rollers, and a fiat spring secured centrally to said yoke and having its ends arranged to be engaged by said frames when the latter move into an abnormal position, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of a yoke, a crank, a slide connected with said crank and moving in the yoke, rolling members interposed between the slide and yoke, pressing means for drawing the slide and yoke together, and restoring means for returning the rolling members to their normal position when displaced, substantially as set forth.

18. The combination ofacrank,aslide connected with the crank, a yoke receiving the slide and consisting of two guide-bars, two cross-bars connected with one of the guidebars, and adjustable connections between the cross-bars and the other guide-bar, said adjustable connections consisting of adj usting-screws for moving the adjustable guidebar forward and clam ping-screws for tightening the adjustable. guide-bar against the adjusting-screws, substantially as set forth.

19. The combination of a crank, a slide connected with the crank, a yoke receiving the slide and consisting of two guide-bars, two cross-bars provided at opposite ends with lugs, rigid connections between the lugs at one end of the cross-bars and one of the guide-bars, and adjustable connections between the opposite lugs of the cross-bars and the other guide-bar, said adjustable connections consisting of screw-threaded adjustingsleeves interposed between the adjustable guide-bar and the adjacent lugs of the crossbars, and clamping-screws arranged in said sleeves and engaging their threaded ends with' the adjustable guide-bar while their heads bear against the adjacent lugs of the cross-bars, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination of a crank, a slide connected with said crank, a yoke consisting of two guide-bars which receive said slide and two cross-bars arranged at opposite ends of arranged on the outer side of the guide-bars,

a rigid connection between the lug at one end of each cross-bar and one of the guide-bars, and an adjustable connection between the lug at the opposite end of each cross-bar and the other guide-bar consisting of an externally-screw-threaded sleeve engaging with an opening in the adjacent lug of the cross-bar and bearing against the adjacent guide-bar, and a clam pin g-screw arranged in said sleeve and engaging its threaded end with the adjacent guide-bar, a washer interposed between the head of the clamping-bolt and the outer side of the lug which carries the sleeve, and a set-screw arranged on the cross-bar and engaging with the head of the clamping-screw, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 28th day of November, 1902.

FRED o. OLIN.

Witnesses:

EDW. W. BARTHoLoMEW, THEO. L. Form. 

